Little Red Riding Hood. Traditional Schwalm costume.

It is a little-known fact that Hessen has the biggest variety of traditional costumes (trachten) of any region in Germany. The attire worn by unmarried women of the Schwalm region was made famous by the Brothers Grimm fairytale Little Red Riding Hood. The annual Hessentag festival in June is one of the best times to see all the many different styles of this traditional dress. Many groups keep this ancient custom alive by wearing their tracht to special events, and some older women still wear the Schwalm tracht every day.